European founders, this is your moment! On 23 October 2025, the Innovation Fair lands in Brussels (with a hybrid format) under the theme “Enabling that step forward”. It is looking for 16 outstanding startups to take the stage together with innovators from Africa, Europe and the Mediterranean to showcase their innovative solutions with potential for market and societal uptake across the three regions.
What’s in it for you
Sixteen startups/SMEs (including university spin-offs) will be selected to deliver a two-minute pitch to an audience of public and private investors, policy-makers and potential partners (including corporates, researchers, and civil society organisations).
Successful pitchers will receive a tailored prize to help de-risk and advance their initiative – for example, support with intellectual property, business and go-to-market planning, marketing, R&D scaling, or manufacturing and production processes. They will also be sponsored to attend the event in Brussels.
Who’s it for?
Applicants’ pitches should focus on international collaboration with Africa and/or the Mediterranean region, aligning with the research and innovation cooperation priorities below:
- Public Health (4 startups/SMEs): How does your innovation concretely improve public health in Europe and/or Africa and/or the Mediterranean region?
- Green Transition: How does your innovation (a) improve food security and agriculture, or (b) help to halt climate change and foster the green transition in Europe and/or Africa and/or the Mediterranean region?
- a) Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (2 startups/SMEs)
- b) Renewable energy, climate change and sustainable/renewable energy (2 startups/SMEs)
- Innovation and Technology (4 startups/SMEs): How does your innovation concretely improve innovation and technology in Europe and/or Africa and/or the Mediterranean region?
- Capacities for Science (4 startups/SMEs): How does your innovation strengthen innovation, entrepreneurship and/or research ecosystems in Europe and/or Africa and/or the Mediterranean region?
Applicants can apply to pitch regardless of the stage their startup/SME is in.
How to apply
Submit your expression of interest by 24 August 2025 (midnight CEST). Include a short description of your innovation, the challenge you address, your traction, and the support that would help you scale. Please ensure all questions are answered thoroughly and that all required documents are attached.
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted with practical details.
About the Innovation Fair
The pitching will take place as part of the Innovation Fair, which will be a landmark event celebrating the vibrancy of R&I cooperation between Africa, Europe and the Mediterranean region. It marks the ongoing implementation of key multilateral regional policy initiatives: the AU-EU Innovation Agenda, the upcoming New Pact for the Mediterranean, and the Union for the Mediterranean R&I Roadmaps.
The Innovation Fair will consist of a series of pitches in the morning and an exhibition of innovative solutions in the afternoon, with approximately 500 attendees on-site. Pitchers will have the opportunity to network and exchange in rooms full of key R&I stakeholders, investors, and Senior Officials.
Who is behind it
Expressions of interest will be assessed by a task force from the Innovation Fair organising team, with representatives from the Africa–Europe Innovation Platform (AEIP), Strengthening European and African Digital Ecosystems (SEADE), the AU–EU Innovation Agenda Working Group of the AU–EU High-Level Policy Dialogue on Science, Technology and Innovation, and the Union for the Mediterranean.
Two key events – back to back!
The Africa-Europe Innovation Platform (AEIP) is organising its annual event, Bridging Continents through Innovation: Africa-Europe Innovation Dialogues, one day prior to the Innovation Fair, on 22 October, in Brussels, Belgium. The AEIP is a Horizon Europe project that fosters African-Europe research and innovation collaboration.
Successful pitchers will also be invited to these Innovation Dialogues, where they can meet other stakeholders from the innovation value chain, such as African and European policy makers, civil society, incubators, accelerators, and more. They will also get first-hand information about the AEIP Platform and activities, such as opportunities for training, building partnerships, networking, etc.
You do not need to be a pitcher at the Innovation Fair to attend the Africa-Europe Innovation Dialogues, so sign up now to benefit from both events! The event will be held in a hybrid format, so you can also register your interest for the online participation. Register here.
For more information about the Innovation Fair and how to apply, you can click here or contact events@africaeuropeinnovation.net.
Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2025/08/call-for-expressions-of-interest-apply-today-to-showcase-your-innovation-at-the-brussels-innovation-fair-2025/
